[El Bibliotecario]

This is a hypothetical question to confirm (or refute) what I think I already know.

Can I convert a .45 ACP Commander (by which I mean an older alloy frame pistol) to Super .38 by installing (or having installed) a Super .38 Commander slide assembly, barrel, bushing, magazine, and ejector?

I suspect a Super .38 Commander slide assembly would not be easy to come by, which is where the hypothetical business comes in.
TIA

 

[chaosrob]

Sure, that would do it OR you could buy a RIA 38 Super commander for ~400 and be way ahead of the game.

 

[Mike Faires]

I think it should work fine and it will make a great carry gun.

 

[rock185]

The 38 Super parts will fit, but as usual, there's a devil in the details. The feed ramps machined into the frame are different for .45 ACP and .38 Super. The .45 frame ramp is machined further forward. It matters. Cutting back the bottom of the Super barrel throat, throating and polishing will probably get it to work, at least with ball ammo. But doing this way would not be a very aceptable solution to me. Ramped barrels with the integral feed ramps in the two calibers will certainly work. But, once you get into this IMHO expense wise, you'd be better off just buying a .38 Super pistol...ymmv

 

[clcondor]

Yes, the conversion can be done. A few years ago I sent out to swap a Commander 9mm upper assembly onto an Officer's ACP frame and then 38 super Commander on a Commander 45 frame. With a couple trips to the range and research, I was able to get both to function reliably with just a few modifications to stock. Complete commander slides in 9mm or 38 super come up for sale on ebay or gunbroke every once in a while (these days for likely $400+). There are more options with barrels - factory or my preference Bar-Sto.

The ejector may or may not need to be changed depending on shape of the one on the frame. The difference in the feed ramp shape/angle may present some issues which may be addressed with either a different design magazine that locks in slightly higher than stock (may need to try a few different mag manufacturers due to slight variations) or a new higher magazine catch (EGW is one manufacturer) or both to present the cartridge slightly higher and angulated to alleviate feed problems. Both have held up as well as other range items, are easy to use and 98% Colt.

 

[clcondor]

The 38 Super parts will fit, but as usual, there's a devil in the details. The feed ramps machined into the frame are different for .45 ACP and .38 Super. The .45 frame ramp is machined further forward. It matters.

At the time I read about some individuals that permanently modified the feed ramp to do the conversion. There are more risk with this approach as it may ruin the feed ramp and then necessitate cutting out the ramp and fitting all new ramped barrels. While this may actually be the more correct approach, it does increase costs considerably (for the non-gunsmiths) but may be (hopefully) optional (if it functions properly without). Some variations are to be expected I suppose but may be fun for the tinkerers.

 

[El Bibliotecario]

Thanks for the comments. I suspected there would be more than just assembling parts (which I dont have) and I know my limitations well enough not to try altering feed ramps. I recognize the lack of cost effectiveness in cobbling together a weapon; the idea came to mind because I have an excess Commander. Unless I fortuitously happen across a Commander Super 38 slide, I may content myself with my current full size Super 38s.

 

[clcondor]

Thanks for the comments. I suspected there would be more than just assembling parts (which I dont have) and I know my limitations well enough not to try altering feed ramps. I recognize the lack of cost effectiveness in cobbling together a weapon; the idea came to mind because I have an excess Commander. Unless I fortuitously happen across a Commander Super 38 slide, I may content myself with my current full size Super 38s.

It really was not very difficult and involved only reversible drop in parts in mine (no permanent mods) for less than 1/2 of new. 38 super is a nice caliber for the commander size so suggest to keep looking.

 

[kenhwind]

When I had a Colt XS LWT .45 Commander and a XSE LWT .38 Super Commander the slide assemblies would interchange. So the Commander ejcetors are very much alike, and dimensions similar to the .38 Super GM ejector; whereas the .45 GM ejector is not. I never did shoot them this way.

Evolution Gun Works sells a steel insert for the alloy frames feed ramps.

 

[rock185]

clcondor, enjoyed your posts and and the information on your success in swapping those calibers. I've tinkered with this stuff for a long time, but am always happy when a project just works, without a lot of tinkering to force that devil out of the details.

 

[Beak]

Anxious to see what you decide to do. I would be interested for the same outcome - keep us informed.

 

[El Bibliotecario]

Anxious to see what you decide to do. I would be interested for the same outcome - keep us informed.

Unless I find a Super .38 Commander slide under a cabbage leaf, I will probably do nothing. I'm at a point in my life where I need to be getting rid of weapons rather than accumulating more, and since the parts aren't readily available, I'm hoping this urge will be resistable. Again, thanks to all for their input.